Upcoming Events

July 7, not opened to the public

Napa Valley Burger Battles:

Did you know that May was national Hamburger Month? And you know that July 1 was national Ginger Snap Day? Small Lots Big Wines has drawn inspiration from these culinary inspired days both to wage a war and to wager a challenge.

The war we are waging is the Napa Valley Burger Battles. War was declared on May 31 when 8 judges judged 8 burgers from St. Helena. The winner was Silverado Brewing Company and AKA Bistro. We had to have 2 winners because Silverado Brewing Company submitted a lamb burger, which was divine, but we needed a beef burger winner as well, which AKA Bistro won.

On July 7 the battle ground shifts from St Helena to Calistoga. Vermiel Wines will be hosting the event. Vermiel is a really cute little tasting room in downtown Calistoga that makes great wines. Their Cab Franc is one of my favorites in the valley. We’ve gathered 8 judges and are looking forward to tasting the best of Calistoga. You can follow the battle on our facebook fan page. Once we’ve judged burgers all around the valley it will be your turn to decide at a public event that will most likely take place in September.

Ohh Snap!

Ginger Snap Contest.

It’s amazing what you learn on Twitter. I read a “tweet” that July 1 is National Ginger Snap Month. It just so happens that I love gingers snaps. My favorite all time ginger snaps came from one of my ex-husbands landscaping customers. She gave us some of her homemade ginger snaps at Christmas. They were moist, chewy, and gingery. I’ve decided to hold a contest for the best ginger snap recipe and the best recipe using ginger snaps. If you are on facebook you can follow the recipes here. If not, email me for the recipes, and then vote for your favorites. (you can also submit your favorite recipies). The winner of each category receives a bottle of wine that pairs perfectly with ginger snaps.

Sibling Rivalry

Napa Vs. Sonoma Chardonnay

Chardonnay may taste cool to the tongue, but this rivalry is hot. On july 31 Napa and Sonoma duke it out over chardonnay. But really, this goes way beyond Napa and Sonoma. It’s a competition for oaked vs. unoaked, ml or no ml, hot or cool climate. Chardonnay is probably the most manipulated wine out there and this is a battle not only to see what valley makes the best Chardonnay, but how it is best manipulated. We are excited to see how you and our esteemed panel of judges do on in this blind tasting.

Falcor winery in South Napa is hosting this time. You’ll love this swanky little gem located in a “scenic corporate park.” The doors open at 6:30, voting stops at 8:00, wines are revealed at 8:30.

As always it’s $10 per person. Hope to see you there.